Source Attribution

Source attribution means attributing, or crediting, the author and/or source of the original information.  Attribution can be written or spoken.  When we discuss it in AP Seminar, we are usually referring to the way information about credibility is communicated.  Often, it is not enough just to cite your sources.  You must make it clear why the audience should trust the source and/or author.  It is also important to acknowledge any choices you make to include sources that may be considered less credible.  Objective transparency is a hallmark of high-quality research.

With or without a slide deck as a visual aid, the presenter should always consider what choices will best serve the audience.  When preparing a slide deck, the method of saving all citation information for a Works Cited slide at the end of the presentation is least impactful for several reasons, but first and foremost, it disconnects the information used from the source.  All citation and attribution should be accomplished at the same time the information is shared with the audience.  This demands a skillful combination of both verbal attribution and printed citation on the slide itself.

When incorporating research into writing, we will use MLA style and guidelines to properly cite our information.  Attribution works alongside those citations to ensure the audience understands the value and credibility of each source.  Correctly citing sources protects the researcher from plagiarism, but without attribution, the audience will likely not find your information reliable, credible, or believable.

Image Source: https://guides.library.stonybrook.edu/citations/mla